Integrated lift and frame lock for a folding corn head row separator

ABSTRACT

A harvester or combine includes a folding corn head with a center section and folding wing sections. A folding row separator cover at the hinge location of the folding head sections folds to an angled position so that the folding action between the wings and the center section is not impaired. A single assembly actuates the folding of the row separator as well as locking and unlocking of the wing sections relative to the center frame section. A hydraulic cylinder actuates a main link that connects to the row separator cover and also to a lock pin. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder pulls the extended end of the main link rearward and upward to raise the cover. The same motion also pulls the locking pin forward from engagement. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder rod lowers the extended end of the frame of the main link and pulls the cover downward while also moving the lower portion of the main link rearward to engage the locking pin with the frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding corn head for a harvester orcombine, and, in particular to a corn head row separator with anautomatic actuating and wing locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Corn heads used for harvesting corn mount on the front of combines andear corn harvesters or combines. The harvester or combine advances alongthe corn rows and processes the corn stalks for return to the field andremoves the ears of corn from the stalks. Corn heads are configured withdividers or separators to guide the rows of corn plants into gaps formedbetween the row separators to gathering units extending across thelength of the corn head. Each of the row separators includes a forwardconical portion that abuts a rear portion that provides a top cover toprotect the mechanisms of the gathering units.

The row separators cover the corn head mechanisms to keep the plantstalks and other material from falling into and jamming the mechanicalunits. It can be appreciated that the row separator covers must belifted to provide access and conduct maintenance on the gathering andseparating mechanisms of the corn head. With some prior art systems,this was simply done with a hinge and a manual support strut. However,other systems were developed that utilized a mechanism to lift and holdthe cover in a raised position.

Moreover, with wider heads, it is necessary to fold outer sections ofthe head for transport. With folding heads, the outer sections of thehead are angled upward in some configuration and even inverted on otherembodiments to reduce the width of the head for transport. In addition,certain row separator covers at the fold axis of the folding outersections must be tilted to move them out of the way to allow sufficientspace for folding of the outer sections of the head. This tilting motionis separate and different from the lifting of the row separator coversfor access and maintenance. At a road transport position, the outersections are unlocked and raised and the row separator covers are alsounlocked. Another step that must occur with unfolding of folding headsis that the outer folding sections of the head must lock into anoperating position when completely unfolded to ensure safe and reliableoperation. Moreover, locking of the folding sections of the heads at thedeployed position must be verified unless the head has a visualverification. It can be further appreciated that for operation the rowseparator covers must be locked into place so that they protect themechanisms of the gathering units and so that they do not flop orotherwise become damaged during the folding and unfolding process.

It can therefore be appreciated that a new and improved folding cornhead is required. Such a corn head should include row separators thathave covers that are automatically actuated to a tilted position forfolding of the corn head and the corn head should having foldingsections that are also automatically locked. Moreover, the locking ofthe outer folding sections of the corn head and tilting of the rowseparator cover at the fold should be actuated by a single mechanism.The present invention addresses these problems as well as othersassociated with corn heads having folding sections.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a combine or ear corn harvesterincluding a folding corn head. The corn head includes a center sectionas well as left and right folding wing sections that fold fortransportation and storage. The corn head also includes row separatorsthat direct the corn stalks towards the gathering assemblies forprocessing the corn stalks and removing ears from the stalks.

In order for the wing sections to fold, one of the row separators nearthe frame hinge for each wing must be raised to an angled position tocreate sufficient space between the respective folding wing section andthe center section. The present invention provides a single actuatorthat both moves the row separator cover between the angled position forfolding and a use position. Moreover, the same assembly provides forautomatically locking the frame sections of the head so that the wingsare locked when deployed for harvesting. The dual purpose singleactuator assembly also provides a clear visual indication when theframes are locked as the row separator cover is lowered.

The combined folding and locking assembly mounts to the corn head frameand to a frame supporting the row separator cover proximate the foldingportion of the head frame. The hydraulic cylinder has an extendable rodthat connects to a main link. The elongate main link extends forwardfrom the cylinder and at a far end connects to an arm that includes balljoints. The arm connects to a row separator cover frame. The main linkalso connects to a second link mounting to the hydraulic cylinder and toa lower link attached through an intermediate link connecting to alocking pin for the folding frame of the corn head. The arm at theextended end of the main link generally extends upward and forward whilethe locking pin extends generally rearward attaching to a lower point ofthe main link.

When the hydraulic cylinder is actuated to extend the rod, the main linkpivots downward and pulls the arm mounting to the row separator coverdownward. This moves the row separator to a deployed use position whereit covers the gathering assemblies. Moreover, this same motion moves thelower portion of the main link downward and rearward. The downward andrearward motion moves the locking pin to a secure locked position. Atthis position, the frame sections of the head are securely locked by thepin for use in the extended position. The row separator cover at alowered position provides a visual indication that the frames are lockedfor harvesting.

To unlock the frames and to move the folding row separator cover to theposition for folding, travel and storage, the rod is retracted into thehydraulic cylinder. This motion of the rod pulls the main link rearwardand the far end connecting to the arm upward. The far end of the mainlink therefore raises the arm to raise the row separator. The samemotion of the main link also raises the lower pivot near the hydrauliccylinder and the connecting link pulls the lock pin forward to disengagefrom the frame. In this position, the frame sections are not locked toone another and the outer frame of each wing is free to be pivoted. Thesame motion also automatically moves the folding row separator to aposition that will not impair folding of the wings relative to thecenter frame of the head and provides a visual indication. Therefore,the outer wing sections cannot be folded unless the row separator coverat the frame hinge is raised to a position at which it will not impairfolding of the head.

It can be appreciated that the present invention uses a single actuatorto automatically move the row separator proximate the hinge to aposition that allows folding of the wings relative to the head and alsoautomatically disengages the outer wing frames from the center frame toallow for folding. The position of the cover also provides a clearvisual indicator to alert operators that the cover and frames areconfigured for folding. The same mechanism also ensures that when thefolding row separator is lowered, that the frames are locked in positionand that the head is deployed for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference letters andnumerals indicate corresponding structure:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a harvester according to the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the harvester shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a corn head for the harvester shown inFIG. 1 in a deployed position;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the corn head shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the corn head shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the corn head of FIG. 3 in a foldedposition;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the corn head shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the corn head shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a linkage for folding a row separatorcover;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a row separator cover for the head of FIG. 3with the cover open;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the row separator cover of FIG. 11 with thecover closed;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a row separator cover and the linkagefor opening and closing the row separator cover of FIG. 11 with the rowseparator cover closed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the row separator cover and the linkageof FIG. 13 with the row separator cover open;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lock for the row separator cover in alocked position; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the lock of FIG. 15 in a releasedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereis shown an ear corn harvester, generally designated (100). The presentinvention is also applicable to a combine. The harvester (100) as shownis particularly configured for harvesting corn. The harvester (100) hasa chassis (104) housing crop processing equipment and is supported ondriven front wheels (106) and on rear wheels (108). For combines, thechassis (104) includes threshing equipment as is well known in the art.A cab (102) is positioned at the front of the chassis (104) andoverlooks a corn head (120). An unloading conveyor (110) extends fromthe rear of the chassis (104).

Referring to FIGS. 3-9, the corn head (120) is a folding corn head thatfolds for transport and storage. The corn head (120) includes a centersection (122) as well as outer folding sections including a left foldingwing (124L) and a right folding wing (124R). The left wing (124L) andthe right wing (124R) are configured to fold inward and over the centersection (122) to reduce the width of the head for transport, as shown inFIGS. 6-9. The left wing (124L) and the right wing (124R) are extendedfor harvesting in the fields as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The head (120)includes an auger (134) extending transversely to the direction oftravel including a left helical vane section (134L) and a right helicalvane section (134R).

Row separators act as dividers (150) to direct the corn stalks into cornstalk gathering assemblies (138). The gathering assemblies pull thestalks through ear removal assemblies (140). Belts, chains or othergathering devices (144) may include paddles (142) or other elements thatengage the corn stalks and pull them into opposed stalk rolls (146) thatpull the stalks downward where the stalks are cut, broken and/or crushedso that the stalks may be returned to the field with improveddecomposition. The ear removal assemblies (140) include stripper platesthat separate the ears from the stalks. The ears pass to the auger (134)via belts and/or chains and are directed to the harvester's cropprocessing equipment.

The row separators (150) act as top covers for drives and severalcomponents for the corn stalk gathering assemblies (138). The rowseparators (150) generally are lightweight plastic or other durablematerials that have a conical front section (152) and an arcing rearsection that arches over an axis extending generally along the directionof travel.

It can be appreciated that the folding of the head (120) createschallenges; especially with the row separators (158) located proximatethe hinge portions (126). If the row separator cover (158) is not moved,it would otherwise occupy space that would prevent the folding action ofthe head (120) as the wings (124L and 124R) would occupy space neededfor the portions of the center section (122) and/or the wings (124).Therefore, the row separators (158) at the fold must be configured as afolding row separator (158). By folding the row separator covers (158)to the position shown in FIGS. 6-9, sufficient space is created at thehinge so the wings (124L and 124R) are able to fold to the compactposition shown in FIGS. 6-9. In the folded position, the left wings andright wings (124L and 124R) are inverted and extend over the centerframe section (122).

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown a portion of the frame(128) of the center corn head section (122) as well as the right wingframe section (130R). It can be appreciated that the left and rightwings (124L and 124R) are substantially mirror images. Although theright wing frame (130R) and its folding will be described, thedescription applies equally to the left wing frame (130L) and it'sfolding. For harvesting, the hinge (126) must be in a locked positionwhen extended as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

To facilitate latching of the frame sections (130 and 128) and foldingof the folding row separator covers (158), a combined folding andlocking assembly (200) has been developed for the present invention, asshown in FIG. 10. The folding and locking assembly (200) includes ahydraulic cylinder (202) having a telescoping rod (204) that is extendedand retracted. The extendable rod (204) connects to a pivoting main link(210) having four points (212, 214, 216 and 218) for pivoting with otherelements. The main link (210) has two portions extending from opposedsides around the telescoping rod (204) that creates a framework andprovides spaced apart pivots (212, 214, 216 and 218). The pivot (214) isa ball type joint that allows the arm (208) flexibility. The arm (208)mounts at its opposite end at a ball type joint (228) to a frame (160)for the row separator cover (158).

Pivot (216) is a pin that connects to opposed arms (220) mounting topivot pins on the cylinder (202). The pivot pin (216) is mounted to aportion of the main link (210) intermediate the pivot pins (212 and 218)and rearward toward the cylinder (202).

Pivot pin (218) is generally mounted below the other pivots and extendsthrough an intermediate link (222) to a frame lock pin (206) andpivotally connects to the lock pin (206) by a pivot pin (232).

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, the folding row separator cover (158) aswell as the folding and latch assembly (200) and the frame (130R) andtheir relationship are shown. The frame (130R) includes a latch member(162) receiving the locking pin (206). In the locked position shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, the lock pin (206) extends through the receiver (162)and provides a secure mechanical lock as well as a visual indicationthat the wing (124) is lowered in a completely extended position andlocked for harvesting operations. In this position, the rod (204) isextended to pivot the main link (210) downward. This pivoting motion ofthe main link (210) pulls the arm (208) downward and lowers the foldingseparator frame (160) and cover (158) downward. This motion of the mainlink (210) also lowers and actuates the pivot pin link (222) to push thelocking pin (206) downward and rearward. Therefore, the locking pin(206) slides rearward and through to the locked position and secures thewing (124). The extension of the rod (204) also pushes the link (220)downward and rearward and therefore rotates the hydraulic cylinder (202)to a slightly downward orientation. The lowered row separator cover(158) provides a visual indication that the frame (130) is locked in afully deployed harvesting position.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 14, to unlock the frame (130R) from thecenter frame (128), the locking assembly (200) is actuated in anopposite direction so that the hydraulic cylinder (202) retracts the rod(204). This retraction of the rod (204) pulls the main link (210) upwardand rearward. Raising the end of the main link (210) tends to raise thearm (208), which pushes the separator frame (160) and therefore thefolding row separator cover (158) upward and to the side. In thisposition, the wings (124) may be folded without the row separator cover(158) hitting the adjacent row separators (150) and allows for thefolding movement of the wings (124) of the head (120). The retraction ofthe rod (204) also pivots the hydraulic cylinder (202) upward, due tothe linkage formed between the hydraulic cylinder (202), the rod (204),the main link (210) and the cylinder link (220). Moreover, the upwardpivot of the main link (210) pulls the lower pivot pin (218) slightlyupward and forward. This action pulls the link (222) and the locking pin(206) forward away from the orifice in the receiving lock portion (162).When the locking pin (206) is disengaged, the wings (124) are unlockedand may be folded. It can be appreciated that the same motion provides asingle linkage that mechanically and automatically unlocks the frames(128, 130) and moves the folding row separator cover (158) to a positionthat allows for folding with a single actuation. The present inventiontherefore eliminates the need for separate actuators and assemblies forfolding the row separators and for also locking the frame.

It can be appreciated that the present invention provides a clearindication that when the row separator cover (158) is folded and raised,that the folding wings (124) are unlocked and may be folded. However, ifthe folding row separator cover (158) is not raised, the frames arelocked and the wings (124) cannot be folded. Moreover, the folding andlatching assembly (200) also provides a clear indication that when thefolding row separator (158) is in the lowered position, the framesections are locked relative to one another and that the corn head (120)is properly configured and completely deployed for operation in a fullyextended position.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A corn harvester comprising: a chassis; aharvester head, the harvester head comprising: a folding sectionincluding a lock for locking the folding section in a locked positionfor harvesting; a plurality of row separators, each of the separatorsincluding a separator cover; the plurality of separators including afolding separator proximate a folding pivot of the folding section; alinkage associated with the folding separator, the linkage moving theseparator cover of the folding separator between a first position and asecond position, the linkage automatically engaging the folding sectionlock when the separator cover of the folding separator is at the firstposition and automatically disengaging the lock when the separator coverof the folding separator is at the second position.
 2. A corn harvesteraccording to claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises: a first linkpivoting between a first position and a second position; a cylinderhaving an extendable rod, the rod connecting to a first end of the firstlink and actuating the first link; a second link mounted to a second endof the first link and connected to the separator cover of the foldingseparator; a third link connecting to first link and to the lock.
 3. Acorn head comprising: a folding section including a lock for locking thefolding section in a locked position for harvesting; a plurality of rowseparators, each of the separators including a separator cover; theplurality of separators including a folding separator proximate afolding pivot of the folding section; a linkage associated with thefolding separator, the linkage moving the separator cover of the foldingseparator between a first position and a second position, the linkageautomatically engaging the folding section lock when the separator coverof the folding separator is at the first position and automaticallydisengaging the lock when the separator cover of the folding separatoris at the second position.
 4. A corn head according to claim 3, whereinthe linkage comprises: a first link pivoting between a first positionand a second position; a cylinder having an extendable rod, the rodconnecting to a first end of the first link and actuating the firstlink; a second link mounted to a second end of the first link andconnected to the separator cover of the folding separator; a third linkconnecting to first link and to the lock.
 5. A corn head according toclaim 3, wherein the corn head is configured for mounting on aharvester.
 6. A corn head according to claim 3, wherein the corn head isconfigured for mounting on a combine.
 7. An integral actuator and latchfor a folding corn head, the corn head folding between a harvestingposition and a storage position, and a row separator proximate a hingeof the folding head, the separator dividing rows of crops to beharvested, the separator folding between a harvesting position and astorage position; the integral actuator and latch comprising: a linkageassociated with the folding separator, the linkage moving the separatorcover of the folding separator between a first position and a secondposition, the linkage automatically engaging the folding section lockwhen the separator cover of the folding separator is at the firstposition and automatically disengaging the lock when the separator coverof the folding separator is at the second position; the linkageincluding: a first link pivoting between a first position and a secondposition; a cylinder having an extendable rod, the rod connecting to afirst end of the first link and actuating the first link; a second linkmounted to a second end of the first link and connected to the separatorcover of the folding separator; a third link connecting to the firstlink and to the lock.